Tens of thousands of refugees – mostly women and children – have fled to South Sudan’s neighbouring countries, particularly the Democratic Republic of Congo, where over 60,000 have sought shelter.

Resources have been stretched to breaking point by the crisis, according to the UN, whose refugee agency in Congo says it has only been funded at about 25 percent of what it needs.

Bitter conflict

Civil war broke out in South Sudan in December 2013 – just two years after the country gained independence – when President Kiir sacked his cabinet and accused Vice-President Riek Machar of attempting to mount a coup.

Thousands have died as a result of the conflict which caused over 2.2 million people to flee their homes.

While the government and rebel groups agreed to enter negotiations for a peace deal in 2014, signing an agreement a year later, a renewed conflict has erupted.

Ethnic divisions

There are some 64 ethnic groups in South Sudan, each with its own language, traditional beliefs and customs.

The Dinka – the group to which President Kiir belongs – and the Nuer are the largest of the demographics.

The fear now is that the situation for the country’s smaller ethnic groups may be conflated with those fighting against government troops.

Local residents said soldiers accused the local population of being rebels, and would make demands and kill if they didn’t get them.